Off the Shelf: Warioware Smooth Moves

"It's-a-MEEE Wario!"

The easiest, simplest way to start explaining Warioware is with the words 'mini-game mayhem,' which sum up exactly what Warioware is all about. For anyone who's played the DS version of the game and is used to using the stylus to draw on screen, this Wii incarnarnation works in a slightly different manner. Utilising a variety of different 'forms' (i.e. ways of pointing the remote at the screen), intuitive player interaction is made possible. Some of my favourite forms include 'the elephant,' 'tug of war,' 'samurai' and 'handle bar,' but you'll have to discover for yourself how they differentiate. Because of all these different forms, you're never just doing one thing such as bouncing a ball; you're doing hundreds of things.

This version is very similar to the DS in terms of presentation and style, but equally faultless. It's worth noting that Warioware also features some of the best in-game music tracks I've heard for a long while. Since the music is perfectly suited to each themed stage, the fact it's so good has to be a big plus. So what do you get? Japanese themes for Ninja characters, upbeat disco for a 70's styled afro guy and techno dance for the scientist whizz. My favourite though has to be a Britney Spears inspired, cheer-leading theme ...How sad I am (We agree - Ed).

Special mention should also go to the cut-scene animations which are as funny and amusing as they are brilliant. Although they don't add anything to the game in terms of game-play, they give an impression that the mini-games are happening for a reason. It also provides adequate opportunity for the player to prepare him/herself for the next set of challenges.

At the end of each stage (or set of mini-games) you have to beat a boss game in order to open up more areas & challenges on the town map. One such game involves directing traffic for a steady stream of male/female characters all desperate for the toilet. Males must go one way and females the other, but on a harder difficulty they'll trip up and overtake each other.

As for mini-games, there's 200+ which range from sawing tree logs in half, shooting missiles at a Godzilla wannabe and picking the odd one out, to throwing shuriken stars at ninjas, slicing logs with a samurai sword and shoving people over (Ken's favourite). Once a mini-game's been unlocked it can be practiced seperately. Whilst most of the games are fun, it could be argued that some are a bit too basic for older players. It's also a shame that Warioware doesn't support four players, since this is the kind of game you'd really want to play at a party after several beers. We're expecting Mario Party 8 to answer that challenge, though.

At first glance, I wasn't convinced Nintendo could ever make money by appealing purely to a gamer's sense of fun, but Warioware is one of the most senseless games I've played in ages. It's addictive, it's fun, it warrants repeat playing for high scores, it's pick up and play and doesn't take long to get into. You'll be humming those tunes in no time with little encouragement.